Chelsea handed new Levi Colwill penalty referee verdict as VAR point made vs Man United

One-time Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has revealed that Levi Colwill's penalty claim would've been overturned by VAR for a foul in the build-up. Chelsea were left aggrieved after Robert Jones waved away appeals for a spot-kick after the Blues defender went down in the box, under challenge from Lisandro Martinez.

The Colwill incident occurred in the first-half of a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, but it was United who drew first blood through a penalty of their own. Bruno Fernandes converted, after Rasmus Holjund was brought down by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Their lead was short-lived with Moises Caicedo volleying home the equaliser. That Super Sunday clash was largely eventless as both sides toiled and lacked a cutting edge to claim the points, but Chelsea may have had complaints over the no penalty decision in the first half.

However, Gallagher felt that it was the correct decision, but if a penalty had have been awarded, then VAR should have intervened to rule it out. He revealed: "The referee didn't think it was a penalty, if VAR looks at it, there's a foul here [on Casemiro] comes first.

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"If the referee gives the penalty, then I think they will check the attacking phase and they will say Casemiro was fouled. Default, drop ball to the goalkeeper."

Speaking during the commentary, Mike Dean commented: "It took a while, to be fair, to get the right replay and that's why we didn't comment on it [the Colwill incident] at the time.

"As Colwill has taken a shot, I just think that it is a natural coming together, it is more Colwill kicking the boot of Martinez's foot rather than the other way around. So, the check is cleared eventually, but it did take a long time, and I don't think the VAR could get the right replay."

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